Friday, November 12, 2010

Its an RV World

It has occurred to me since we have moved to the Corridor (the area between Calgary to Red Deer) that Mark and I are being judged on the fact that we do not own an Recreational Vehicle (RV).

On the street we live everyone has an RV parked on their lot. And by everyone I don't mean every second house, I mean EVERY house. Looking for a house in this area we had no idea how important RVing was, it is one of the main items listed on the MLS sheet. Buy a house and at the same time buy a parking space for your mobile house. Which begs the question: why do you need a mobile house?

RV's are one of life great conundrums to me. It just doesn't make sense. If you want to go camping, then, by all means, go camping, but do it in the way you were meant to - in a tent. If you are taking your massive RV out to a camping spot your not really camping, your renting a very small acreage. An RV that has all the amenities of a home is in no way roughing it or anyway communing with nature. You have just moved a smaller version of your house to a more secluded, yet not necessarily quieter, place.

Mark has been showing me around the area between Red Deer and Olds and twice now we have come across these huge RV communities on lakes. These parks are made up of lot after lot of traditional or park model RV's. All these RV's just packed into the space. Right now it is very quiet, as they are closed for the season, but I can imagine in the summer exactly how loud and busy these places become. This doesn't seem relaxing to me. It seems like I am replacing one noisy, busy place for another. This is exactly why Mark and I didn't buy a lot we were looking at 40 Mile Dam a few years ago. The lot was actually half the size of the lot our house sat on. We would be forever in our neighbour's business. We wanted a quiet retreat and when we saw the size of the lot we knew we would be better off to just fix up our own backyard. We would have more privacy. But that is what you get at these places and they certainly don't seem to be hurting for those wanting a spot.

But I have to ask, what about the money? Most of these RV's start at around $25,000 and I am told go up exponentaly from there. A park models start at $75,000. Do you know how many all inclusive vacations that is? For your minimum $25,000 investment that is 2 all inclusive, 1 week vacations a year for six years. Six years. Are you going to use your RV that long? Now factor in the cost of these fun 'camping' weekends: gas, camping fees, food, liquor, and any other toys you have brought that need gas or service. Now look at an all-inclusive: nothing except any extras you want such as excursions or shopping. If you never leave your resort you can get away with $50 for tips. That includes all your food and liquor and most of your entertainment. Now let's compare the hassle tax with an RV: maintenance, parking (if you don't live in the Corridor and have to store it), buying and preparing all that food everyone eats, cleaning up after everyone eats, and cleaning out the thing when you get back. For an all inclusive: packing to get there, flying, and unpacking when you get home. While you are there, you do nothing, but sit and drink Mai Tais, eat out and sun yourself. Which sounds like the better deal?